Disney Films: Pinocchio- A Tale of Christ? (A Counterpoint Review)

So, my husband, the budding theologian, has decided to put  his own spin on the Pinocchio story. After we discussed my review the other day, he had a few thoughts of his own, and his may be a bit more insightful than mine. I tend to look at things with a critical eye for the artistic value. But hubby has a mind set on the eternal. This is, perhaps, why we get along so well. We complement each other's view points. I see things from an earthly practical perspective. He sees them from a heavenly spiritual one. Take a look:

This is a good review. However, let’s look at the flip side of the coin here. Pinocchio, in my mind, has always been a story about a promise. That promise being of course that he would eventually be a real boy. This promise has stipulations; he has to be brave, truthful, and unselfish. The promise was given by a fairy who can be a picture of Jesus Christ who also gives us a stipulation. The rule is simple (Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.- Acts 16:31) (For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.- John 3:16). Now getting to this point can be difficult, not because the solution itself is difficult, but because like Pinocchio we tend to disobey and at times choose to completely forget what was promised to us because we think we see a better option.

The second time the fairy shows up, she frees the boy. Pinocchio was not seeking her per se; he was just crying out for help. And isn't that what Christ does for the fallen? We did not go to Him, He came to us. Like the fairy did with Pinocchio, He comes to most of us when we are at our lowest point.  

OK, now the lad is free from the cage/prison that Stromboli put him in and like Pinocchio we who chose to believe are free from the cage/prison that sin puts us in. The question now is, do we no longer sin? No, we do sin, stumble, and fall. This can be pictured in the story when Pinocchio goes to Pleasure Island. The fairy has just freed the boy and he again chose to go his own way. But eventually the lad goes back to the "straight and narrow" after he sees what the place is doing to him, in this case turning into a donkey. He then runs for all he is worth to get out. The Bible records a similar conclusion to this called the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32.

The final point I would like to make is the way the story ends. When the fairy comes after Pinocchio dies, she grants him the promise that she had made in the beginning of the movie. He becomes a real boy! New body, new look, new everything. This is portrayed in the Bible as well. When we die, the promise of everlasting life takes place. We also get a new body just like Pinocchio. (Philippians 3:20-21)

See what I mean? The guy can turn anything into a parable. That's why I love him. Thank you, babe, for a different perspective. Maybe I won't dislike the film quite so much if I approach it with this mindset in future.